ABOUT US

Sandra L. Smith, Partner

Sandra L. Smith joined the firm in 2003. She practices primarily in the areas of elder law, estate planning, estate and trust administration, special needs planning, asset protection planning, long-term care planning and Veterans' benefits. Ms. Smith is certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by The National Elder Law Foundation (NELF).

Ms. Smith is a member of the Virginia State Bar, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Virginia Bar Association, and Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.  She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Commonwealth Community Trust and the William & Mary Law School Alumni Association.  Ms. Smith is a past National President of the American Business Women’s Association.

Ms. Smith is an accredited attorney for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for veterans benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

In 2008, Ms. Smith was named as a Rising Star by Virginia Super Lawyers magazine. Rising Stars names the state's top up-and-coming attorneys.

Areas of Practice

• Elder Law
• Estate Planning
• Estate and Trust Administration
• Special Needs Planning
• Asset Protection Planning
• Long-term Care Planning
• Veterans' Benefits

Admitted

• Virginia State Bar, 2000
  

Accredited

• Department of Veterans Affairs Accreditation #9723

Education

• College of William & Mary School of Law
  Juris Doctor, 2000
  Law Review
  Moot Court
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  Master of Aviation Management, 1979
• Purdue University
  Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, 1976

Memberships and Affiliations

• Virginia State Bar
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
• President, Commonwealth Community Trust
• Board of Directors, Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
• Board of Directors, William & Mary Law School Alumni Association
• American Business Women’s Association (Past National President)
• I’Anson-Hoffman Inn of Court
• Virginia Bar Association
• Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
• Society of Women Engineers
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Honors and Awards

• Named as a Rising Star by Virginia Super Lawyers magazine, 2008
• Bronze Star Medal, 1992
• United States Air Force Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Award, 1991
• Tactical Air Warfare Center Resource Advisor of the Year, 1987
  

Certifications

• Certified Elder Law Attorney*
• Series 65 - Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination
• Life and Health Insurance Agent

*Certified by the National Elder Law Foundation. The Virginia State Bar does not certify Elder Law Attorneys.